One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Hi Ally:
He will be using the flaps from both sides of my stomach to make the inside of the right breast (my current flat tire side), he will use some of the skin that they remove to replace some of the damaged skin on the bottom of that side. We are going to leave the implant on the left side (the remaining one step side).
To put flaps on both sides I would have to either have two breasts that would be maybe an A at best, or wait till the vasculature is stable in a few months have implants put in, but there is a risk that the flaps could be damaged at that time and lost.
Because of the whole MRSA thing and the risk of damaging the DEIP flap by a later implant surgery is really too much to contemplate, so I will just be happy to have two breasts that at least look like , even if one will be real soft and one will be firmer.
Did that make sense?
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Hi everyone, happy St Pattys day :-) I am the same...except when i am relaxing @ home, i feel better..its more when i move & especially when i get up from laying down..that is the worst!!!!!
so tell me what/who Vinnie is..i live in MD & baltimore is close..relatively...i'll ,meet u all there :-)
tell me what exactly is cording, what kind of stretches u ladies do & massage...i am going to p/t for my shoulder blade but that effects my bad side (rt breast) as much...so i am stretching my arms (kinda sorta) there...i'd like to see if i can do some sort of stretching & c what it does for me & massage...i still swell up a lot on the rt side (at least it feels it & looks it too me) . I asked abt allergy to the implant or allorderm..but why would only 1 side be effected? pLUS IT APPEARS nobody has ever heard abt being allergic to an implant or allorderm...
i am back to work F/t starting tomorrow...i wanted to wait till monday but my boss is hsort handed...& she was so good to me during my time away..physically at times it is hard & when i come home i hurt. i do take medication while i am there..but still...
one of my biggest problems now is clothing...i still cant wear a bra & it wouldnt be such a big deal if my left side wasnt so deformed....so today i wore a bigger tee-shirt w/ a cami under it(hey i can start being in style wearing layers ..lol) & my good friend said u cant really telll...but i can & it really is awkward. i need to get that side fixed but i am so scared of doing it b/c of the trouble i am having w/ the rt side...but by the summer i'm gonna have to decide 1 way or another if i am keeping them then i have to get the left side fixed, if i;m not..then i dont have to worry abt that..i just have to deal w/ prothesis..oy!!
so this is my story...glad to hear everyone else is doing good...hugs to u all!!!
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Hi all,
Carole, how are you? That sounds like a traumatic tennis experience. I hope you are back to normal.
BigApple, It sounds like you are in capable hands, I wish you excellent results!
Shoshi, did you see the latest episode of "What not to Wear"? It featured a BC survivor who had decided to not have reconstruction. They gave her "volume" by using scarves and tops with large ruffles or detail in the chest/neck area. She was flat, but rather uneven because she had lost a significant amount of weight after her mastectomy. Maybe some of these options will help you? The idea was to distract the eye. Perhaps necklaces would also help? She looked great at the end. Amazing what careful shopping can accomplish.
Sounds like we should meet up at Vinnie's?! I like the idea of pizza and tattoos! Although I don't currently know of anyone in my area that is advertising themselves specifically as doing 3-D nipples, I'm confident that an experienced tattoo artist with a good portfolio and solid drawing talent could accomplish the task. I'll cross that bridge at a later date. Although I think about "finishing up" often, I've decided to wait at least a year since my nipple reconstruction.
On another note, I have had knee pain since about December. I knew it was an "illiotibial band" or tendon issue and was doing stretches to relieve it, but nothing was helping. I read somewhere on these boards that PTs recommend holding stretches for up to 2 minutes. I set a timer and held my stretch and it has felt as if someone waved a magic wand! I can't believe something so simple could make such a difference. So, for those of you trying to stretch different areas....hold that stretch!
Still working on those chairs. I'm really sick of them at this point, but they are looking very nice. Hope the designer agrees.
Hope everyone has a good day.
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Hello Everyone,
BigApple, Sounds like your in good hands. Do you have a surgery date yet? I haven't made an appointment with Dr. Israeli yet because my BS suggested that another PS wouldn't want to see me because there isn't anything to do...I had my surgery. I do have some tweaking that could be done, but I'm not interested in additional surgery. I made it this far without complications....
UpCreek, My DH is Irish and I have the name to prove it! DH has been to Ireland with his parents when he was younger. Every St. Patrick's Day we have corn beef and cabbage, potatoes, veggies and Irish soda bread. My son's GF has been an Irish dancer (like river dance) from an early age. Since she started college she hasn't been in competitions...Fun to watch them dance. I don't know how they get their legs to do that!
Have you checked out the forums here on cording? Here is a good site that explains cording. http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm
Shoshi, You sound like your getting better. Vinnie Tattoos is in Baltimore and he does the best nipple tattooing. I'm thinking of going there...I'm the biggest chicken when it comes to procedures and anything elective is hard for me to do.
Okiegal, I don't know why, but I feel pressured to get the tattoo and get this all done for good. Good advice on stretching...I do the same before and after walking. I'm sure the chairs look great!
I hope everyone has a good day. It is sunny and temp will reach high 60 today. I'm going to clean the flower beds. DH warned me not to...he thinks I'll hurt myself raking. We'll see!...
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Ah, dreamtime.... to meet at Vinnie's, get beautifully tattoo'd and have a pizza together. You know... I'm going to print out an example from his website if I can. That will show the tattoo artist what I mean by subtle. Someday we really must meet in person. Please, if any of you are going to leave the boards, PM me and I'll give you my email and address, you never know when you might want to visit beautiful San Diego.
I get to travel soon, to Philadelphia, which I love. With a good friend, which will make it even more fun.... a ceramics conference. I missed it last year when it was being held close by because Mom was so ill.
Bigapple, from what I've read you have a wonderful surgeon who will do his magic for you. Fingers crossed.
Think of me today, friends. The usual three month visit with the Onc is today. I woke up in a foul and tearful mood to meet that wonderful man. I'm probably just tired. Actually, I know I'm tired. I've been waking up at night a lot lately, it will be fine. Back later.
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I'm back from the Onc appt. and feeling more like myself again. On questioning, he flat out said that he is not worried about a new BC or a recurrence for me. He's content now that the lymph nodes that were bothering him are just large but pose no problem, and that Femara will keep me safe. He is OK with me not taking either the Reclast or Fosamax, waiting on a future bone scan to assess again (I have osteopenia). I go back in 3 months as usual.
Sunny day, back to work. Hugs to all.
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Hi, everyone. I enjoyed all your posts. Everything is good with me except I've had to get up at 6:30 am two days this week! Both days to play golf so I can't grumble. Nobody forced me to play. Ally, what are "spicy tuna rolls" like? BigApple, I didn't quite understand what you're having done. You mentioned left side twice.
Today started out cold, in the 40's, but warmed up to the 60's. Sunshiny for the most part. Lots of beautiful blooms on plants and shrubs and trees. This is a great year for the Bradford Pear trees.
Happy Thursday evening to all.
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Tx Meg9, I have checked out the cording site. I don't think my problem is that extensive--just a tight tendon and am still going to physio.... My dad was able to "step dance" as they called it. None of us picked up that gene. I have taken a couple of classes but need more.
Sorry you had a bad day Fortunate1 but glad it is good news. I can make it to Baltimore or anywhere one day. Yes, we should do that.
Carole: We have the same weather up here which is quite unusual.
Ally, Fortunate1: You can come for supper anytime!
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hello everyone......big apple that sounds like a good plan...is it different then what disa was going to do?.....great news for you fortunate...ceramics conference sounds interesting, you'll have a great time in philly....upcreek, i'll definitely meet you in baltimore....one of my closest friends is in maryland....carole...spicy tuna roll, i think is a sushi dish, raw fish wrapped in rice and this black stuff, cut into small rolls. my daughter turned me on to it and now i'm addicted. shoshi...you sound pretty good, going back to work full time will probably be a little difficult at first....i couldn't wear a bra either for a long time. is the left and right side totally different, or is one side still swollen?...meg, it was a great day for you to be outside digging in the garden. nice walk today at lunch time...good night all.
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Ally thats for the tips..the left side has really fallen to the side ..if it falls anymore sideways it will be under my arm...so i think there is a BIG difference..i dont care what ppl think right now, but professionally, i want to look decent...the right side still swells a lot..which i wish i knew why it is still doing it almost 3 months later....
Okiegal, thanks for the tips...i am so not a fashion person..i wear what looks ok & what is comfy...so blouses that have ruffles or other things would drive me nuts & i dont like to wear jewlery @ wk b/c my litttle chickadees will pull on it..but thank u so much for thinking of me...i will keep my eyes out for stuff...
Bigapple..i also am unclear abt what they r doing for u//when r u having it done..will u have to TE w/ it? its only 1 side? u had a bilateeral or unilateral mx? how has the prothesis going? whats it like...trying to get ideas on that if i have to have this removed..anyone else that has allorderm have bumps..if i didnt know better i'd say it was a small lump which i would have had to have a mamo for...but thats whatit feels like....its underneath my breast & to the side a bit...its weird ..it doesnt hurt though
glad everyone is doing ok...
hugs
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Fortunate1, good news for you! Your conference will be fun.
Ally, Yum, Spicy Tuna rolls. My sister and I are planning to make our own sushi this evening. The sushi in Tulsa is mostly second rate and rather tasteless. Although it's a bit of a hassle to make yourself and our rolls never turn out very pretty, it tastes much better. We'll attempt a California Roll, Spicy Tuna rolls and hopefully some Yellowtail nigiri. We're planning on buying Sashimi from one of the restuarants.
Nice to hear that Spring is reaching everyone. It's supposed to be 71 today, but then 35 with possible snow tomorrow! Guess I'll enjoy it while I can.
Have a great day everyone!
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Good morning everyone,
Fortunate1, What good from your OC! I hope you slept better! Enjoy your trip!
Okiegal, Are you sure you're not Martha Steward! You can do anything!
Ally, I did a little experiment on numbness...when I massage my breast it feels like my breasts have feeling, but what I'm feeling is my hand touching my breasts. If I pinch my breasts (without looking) the bottom part where the alloderm is-I have no feeling....the top part where the muscle is has feeling. This explains why some feel pain when they get their tattoos.
Carole, That's one reason I couldn't play golf...6:30am!
Shoshi, Do you know why your implant is so far to the side? Maybe you can find a bra that will help you look even. Try a larger size..if you're a 34 try a 36, etc.
UpCreek, It might take some time for your tendon to loosen up. I have a similar problem. I first started to feel it 4 months ago. My BS said to keep massaging..it will take time.
It's another warm and sunny day. I cleaned the flower beds in the back and felt fine until this morning....my shoulder is hurting again. Of course, the DH said, I told you so. I hate when that happens! Well, I'm off to clean the flower beds out front today!
I hope you all have a great and sunny weekend!
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shoshi...what did the ps say about the lumps, and the left one drifting off to the side, i guess the swelling on the right is from the infection, but i think you should get an explanation and a possible plan of correction if possible....okie that info about holding the stretch made an amazing difference for me...all this time in the shower i've been doing more of the up/down thing, the last couple of times i held my arm up , and i felt much better throughout the day and night, i can't explain it, but it really helped.....my new favorite thing to do.....i bet the sushi will turn out delicious.....meg, i think i remember fortunate saying that she had feeling on the outsides but not in the middle.....i hope i regain some feeling back, just to feel normal, also my left upper arm on the inside has always been numb, it doesn't really bother me, just a little weird....another gorgeous day out today. hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
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I'm so glad that only nice, intelligent women have joined our thread, making it better and better as time goes along. One of my regular threads, Older BC'ers, has been invaded by a woman who is foul-mouthed and writes these long posts with ranting and raving. I think she must be a nut case. Many of the regulars have pulled out and gone elsewhere because a lot of the women are very religious. I suspect this invader makes up things about herself because any problem anyone has had, past or present, she can top it. Weird. I would drop out but I guess the fiction writer in me is a little fascinated! If I weren't so lazy I would weave a plot and write a story!
Today I have housework. Yard work. A pile of papers on my desk. But I think I'll go browse in the stores. All the chores will be here when I return. Hope everyone has a happy Saturday.
One last thought. I met a woman about my age this week who had 5 bypass heart surgery last year. She's petite and has low cholesterol. The story of the long delay in diagnosing her problem was scary. It's a wonder she didn't die of a heart attack in the meanwhile. Finally she was sent to a gastro dr. who suspected right away what her problem was. She was rushed into surgery.
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Hi everyone, you all must be off doing fun things.
Meg, I neglected to congratulate you on the three pounds! Even if it isn't as much or as quick as you want, it's still three pounds. I am in a holding pattern, I'm sure I'm not trying hard enough.
Okiegal, did the snow arrive? What an amazing change if it did. Here it's still San Diego classic. The really nice part today is the smell of orange blossoms drifting into the studio. For a while I couldn't figure out where that amazing fragrance was coming from.
Oops, gotta run. DH locked up his bicycle but forgot to bring his key. Off to the rescue....
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Hey Ladies, I wanted to let you know about a new thread that PB22, from the Nipple Sparing thread, has created. A woman on our thread is having a hard time finding a surgeon in her area that does nipple sparing. So, PB started this to help all woman who may have a similar problem. If you have had nipple sparing, please go to her thread and post the city you had your procedure done in. It is under breast reconstruction, and is called "Where are the nipple sparing procedures done?". We appreciate your help!0
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Hi, TNLady. It's good to see you again! I will do as you request.
Hello to everyone else. It's cooler here today and very windy. This morning when DH and I were having our coffee in the living room, we heard a howling sound and it was the wind.
Sorry my posts are so frivolous but, thank goodness, I have no health complaints at the moment. I'm really enjoying my excursion into bridge. In the morning I sit at the coffee table and deal out all 4 hands and bid and play each hand. It's amazing the variety of hands in terms of card distribution. I told you this would be frivolous!! But there's a serious message here. Something about "playing the hand you're dealt."
My shopping trip yesterday was successful. I needed to buy a few dressy clothes, which are much lacking in my wardrobe. DH and I have recently joined the MS Seniors Golf Assoc., which has a 4-day tournament once a month at different towns or cities, mostly in MS and LA. We've been to one, and the women love to dress up at the dinners. I was Plain Jane so had to go out and buy a little dazzle and flash. And I do mean "a little." I'm more Talbot's than Chico's. Also a cheapskate who likes to buy what's on sale.
We're off to the movies this afternoon with friends. Hope your Sunday is peaceful and happy.
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Frivolity is good--no need to apologize. And I agree that this is a great site with great women and friends.
Meg9 Thanks for your input re the cording. It is a tightened pec major insertion and felt much better after "vigorous massage" that my PS ordered and my PT did. (felt better after I came down off the ceiling!). A few more sessions like that and I should be cured?
Quiet weekend here. Took my mother out for dinner last night (she is 82 and the server did not believe that she should be offered the senior's discount as she didn't look older than 65). And she really doesn't. Hope I get those genes!
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carole.....i agree with upcreek.....love reading all your posts, and very happy you are well......upcreek..seems like that vigorous massage will do the trick....i met some nurses i used to work with last night in the city.....so much fun, we had dinner at a seafood place.....gotta go, my son needs his computer......
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Good morning everyone,
I too, really enjoy all of your posts, frivolous and otherwise. Carole, I'm sure you could weave a great story based not only on the "lunatic" posts, but from other's stories as well!
Ally, I'm glad that you are having better results by holding your stretches, too. I think I over did it with my knee, but I'm going to keep it up. I know these things heal slowly. Speaking of healing, I don't know what got in to me, but I decided to do an upper body shimmy last night and found that "the girls" actually moved rather convincingly! I suppose everything has reached some sort of softer, stretched out stage. I hope that gives hope to all of you who may feel like you have very firm lumps on your chest. Everything will improve with time. And, Meg9, I have more feeling on the top area also. It isn't normal sensation. In fact, it's rather numb, but I do have feeling and it has improved over the last several months.
It snowed this weekend, but it wasn't bad. The temperatures stayed around 30 degrees, the streets never froze and today the sun is shining. Everything will be melted off by today or tomorrow and then it's on to warmer weather.
My Martha Stewart streak continued this weekend. After the successful sushi dinner on Friday night, my sister and I made cake balls on our snowy Saturday evening. We used the leftover chocolate cake crumbles from February's failed, layered cake, mixed in some homemade chocolate icing and then flavored it in three separate batches. We had "just chocolate", chocolate with Grand Marnier (orange flavored liquer) and spicy chocolate with cinnamon and red pepper. We finalized them with a dip in chocolate and shared them with family yesterday, giving most of them away so that we can both get back on the WW wagon today...again.
The sun is shining and I have two more layers left on the chairs. They should be finished this week!
UpCreek, wow, your mom must look great! Fortunate1, orange blossums...I can almost smell them right now!
Here's hoping we hear from NewBride soon. She's on my mind. I hope she is doing well.
Best to you all.
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Good morning all,
I don't have a lot to report, but life is just rolling along. Well actually there is one thing troubling me... still waking up in the middle of the night to spend a few hours worrying about stuff. Right now it's about my students... maybe I'm not such a good teacher, they're sure not working as quickly as I want. Next semester I'll do better. I always say that. The supposedly carefree happy life of the artist is anything but. Okiegal knows, don't you? Can't wait to see the chairs.
Carole, I love to hear what you're doing. Our lives are getting more normal all the time. I wonder why there aren't more one-step women on the boards. Maybe it is main stream now, could that be?
Weight? I'm UP two pounds. Just when I thought it had 'permanently' stabilized. That goes to show you how much I know about weight loss. I am trying to remember to do loooong stretches now. Maybe I can loosen up and get a little relaxation and bounce too... please.
DH and I went on a beautiful home tour this weekend, of turn of the last century homes of early historic Arts and Crafts design. One of them in particular was so lovely as to break your heart, gracious and serene. Then we bought tomato plants and worked on our own lovely house.
Today will be a hard working day, only a week before I leave for the conference... too much to do. Can I have a cake ball, a chocolate one? Just for energy, you know.
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Hello Everyone,
It feels so good to read how well everyone is doing and how far we have come. Carol I love your posts. I think you could write a novel about us. One thing, it would read like fiction, but be reality.
Okiegal, Send me some chocolate balls! Yum! I have not had any chocolate in weeks! I've lost one more pound...9 to go.
Those chairs have been a lot of work...two more layers! UpCreek, I'm glad the massage has helped. I don't think I am massaging as vigorously. My muscle is still tight. I need to find a PT...BS said I didn't need one so he didn't give me a referral.
Fortunate1, I would have loved to go on the home tour. DH and I have visited many historic homes...the craftsmanship is amazing.
I'm sure you're an excellent teacher...the fact that you worry proves it! When something is bothering me I don't sleep either. I haven't slept well since my encounter with the PS receptionist. I think I did amazingly well (emotionally) until that point...she turned my world upside down. Once I know I have another PS I will feel better.
Ally, good to hear you are doing so well. I hope you get your computer back soon!
Shoshi, I hope you're feeling better.
New Bride, You are in my thoughts and prayers. We are here for you.
On Sunday morning DH and I took a walk on the wooded trail. Once again no one was there...it's a little spooky. As you walk along this trail it splits many times into different paths. Each path is longer distance. The problem is you come to four corners and don't know which way to go. The park is not officially opened yet and the paths are not marked. We just kept walking and walking; and I kept saying we were never going to find out way out of here. DH said, just keep walking...I have my cell phone... That's DH humor. I'm buying a whistle for our next walk just in case the cell phone doesn't work!
It is cloudy and raining. I hope you all have a good day!
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Hi, everyone. Yesterday my mom and I met my niece for lunch and then went shopping for spring clothes for her three children. It was fun picking out cute clothes for a little girl (almost 5yrs), her brother, (almost 7 years) and their little sister who has a different father (4 mos.) My mother and I split the cost. My niece's family has clothed the children for the most part. These poor kids were not lucky when it came to parents. The two older ones are living with their father. If I allow myself to dwell on the situation, I get depressed.
Today I attended a cooking class at a nearby kitchen wares store, which has a fabulous kitchen and set-up for classes. I really liked the chef. She was down-to-earth and practical. She prepared three delicious main dish salads, each with a different dressing. One salad featured grilled salmon, another grilled chicken with jerk spices, and the third had grilled steak and grilled veggies. Of course, I ended up buying items at the store.
Meg, it's a darned shame that a rude, insensitive receptionist has caused you to lose sleep. As for a replacement PS, I would think it would be easy to find one. But why do you need a PS? You seem very definite about not having any additional surgical procedures.
NewBride, I hope you're doing okay. Shoshi, hope you're improving day by day. Fortunate, I'm fairly certain you're a great teacher.
It's sunny and about 73 degrees outside. Hope everyone else is having this nice a day. Now I'd better go fold some laundry before I head out for a dentist apptment this afternoon.
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I know its wrong but each time someone talks about the Chocolate, I keep thinking of the Alec Baldwin SNL skit where he is selling a similar food product on QVC, and my daughter wants to know what I keep laughing about, but its so not PC.
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hello everyone....glad you are all feeling well. big apple.....i remember that snl.......i went to the ps today 4mos post op. everything is good. i asked him about underwire bras, saunas, etc....he never heard of no saunas, and no underwires....he said i can do anything.....and with his sense of humor he said, "if you want, you can go into the sauna wearing an underwire bra". he did say to keep on massaging, but to do more "pick me up massage"...don't massage downwards, as that will make them droop, and we know gravity will eventually take it's course .i mentioned to him that i feel my foobs are addicted to the massage, at the end of the day, i get that tight feeling and i can't wait to massage, he said it takes at least a full year for healing to take place, and something about the new forming scar tissue. he also told me that the numbness in my left under arm and arm pit will go away....meg u are doing great with your weight loss....fortunate...i'm up at night too thinking about work....trying to remember things that i need to follow up with.....okie...i think i'll try that upper body shimmy, yes they do get softer, more natural than those hard lumps in the beginning.......upcreek...hope all is well with you and shoshi and new bride.....carole, i agree with meg.....you may have to come out of retirement and write our story.......
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Ah, Ally, nice to know we have so many options in the sauna! I didn't realize that I was supposed to be massaging at the later stages too. I've begun skipping that at 9 months (maybe I should resume?), but I do agree that it takes at least a year to heal completely.
Carole, you should write a book and it could be used to entertain and educate women while they heal. It could be a romantic, murder mystery. It's always so much easier to come up with ideas for what others should do!
Fortunate1, I'm sure you are a fabulous teacher. Your worry proves it. I would be a basket case if I was trying to get an entire class to accomplish something.
Meg9, you are blessed to have a well prepared DH to encourage and accompany you to adventure down new paths!
I'll be putting the final clear coat on the chairs today. Perhaps I can post pictures on Thursday.
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okie....we think alike. i was thinking to myself some entertaining/educational mystery,romantic story carole could write about through our posts....looking forward to the pics of the chairs
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Hello everyone,
Ally, 4 months and you are doing well! Good to know about saunas!
Carole, you'll certainly have a wide range of characters...there's the writer - country club woman, teachers, artist, nurse, lawyer, and volunteer church lady! That's quiet a group...each with their own story and a lot of info!
Okiegal, I'm looking forward to seeing the chairs.
BigApple, Do you have a surgery date yet?
I hope everyone else is doing well.
DH cousin who was dx in January with pancreas cancer passed on Sunday. We went to his wake yesterday in the city. He was 62 and just retired in May.
It is sunny and in the 40's today. We are expecting snow showers tonight, but no accumulation.
Have a good day!
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Good Morning everyone, hope you are all well.
Ally, congrats on the four months! All I've heard about saunas is... not too hot and no broken skin that could get infected. It was from the tattoo office... no sauna or swimming pool after tattooing.... infection fear. Pretty logical. Your doc is funny with the idea of an underwire bra in the sauna. By the way, my PS also had no problems with underwire bras (didn't ask about saunas). As with most things in life, there is so much variation, Doctors that say never wear an underwire again, patients that can't because of pain, and those that are just fine with it from the start.
Drat, I have to go already! I'll try to get back later. I wonder how Shoshi and Newbride are.
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Thanks for the sauna info. I think basically if we watch the temperature extremes and use moderation it should be fine. I don't think you need a bra in the sauna.......
Busy working, have company and that's about it. Nothing too exciting.
Wore a bra two whole days in a row at work. That is progress!
Sorry about your DH's cousins death Meg9. My husband just found out that a good friend's wife was just diagnosed with cancer and doesn't have much time.
So, that is why we need to love and have fun. Life is too short.
Hi to all. And yes Carole--a new book would be nice.
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